Okay, I'm back in action now for the rest of the summer, and eager to get this one finished. I had a good time researching in France, and the next story is bubbling nicely on the hob and nearly ready to start writing. In the meantime, I guess we'd better get back to Booth and see how he's getting on...
Standard disclaimers apply, see other chapters for details. Enjoy the story!
Booth was aware only of a throbbing pain in his head, as if a jackhammer was in there digging his brain out from the inside. He tried to open his eyes, but they refused to respond. He slowly became aware that he was lying on his back on what felt like a rough concrete floor. He felt the adrenalin surge as random images flashed into his head; boys' small, delicate bones; an adult's body with the skull smashed; an old garage, full of junk, with a boy tied up and gagged, hidden in a corner; and he realized he was in danger. He was lying sprawled on his back, and he had a vague feeling he was in a corner of the old garage he had been searching. He tried to reach to his holster for his gun, but an agony shot through his right arm the moment he tried to move it. He abandoned the attempt and lay still, thinking fast, instinctively controlling his breathing as an aid to bring the pain in his head and arm under control. He vaguely remembered turning round to see a weapon being held threateningly above his head, and putting his arm up to shield himself.
He heard a child's voice cry out in fear. Mikey! The memory surged through his head, leaving behind a wave of pain. He could only have passed out for a couple of minutes. He tried again to open his eyes, and this time they responded. He peered carefully around, without moving his head, and saw Charlie bent over the boy in the corner. He had replaced the gag, and was looking down at the trussed figure as if trying to figure out what to do.
Booth tried to force his aching brain into action. What the hell was he to do? There was no way to reach his gun without Charlie seeing. His right arm was useless; he knew instinctively that the bone was broken. There was no way to reach his gun in its holster left-handed without Charlie noticing. The only thing he might just be able to reach...
He felt carefully around with his left hand, which was on the opposite side of his body from Charlie and the boy. His jacket had flapped open, the pocket lying just on the top of his hand. In the pocket was his mobile phone, his only chance to fetch help. Cautiously, without making any movement or sound to attract Charlie's attention to him, he eased his left hand into the pocket. He found the phone, and managed to flick it open still inside the pocket. He felt it carefully, and hit the button his finger automatically went to without looking,
He saw Charlie pick up one of the cushions that were lying by Mikey's side, and approach the boy holding the cushion out. Booth could see that he had decided keeping the boy was far too dangerous under the circumstances, and had decided to dispose of the evidence. As Mikey's head thrashed from side to side in fear, Booth sent out a silent prayer that help would arrive in time to save the boy, then shifted his head and groaned out loud, attracting Charlie's attention towards him and giving Mikey the precious few more seconds that might make the difference between life and death.
Well at least you know a little more about Booth's situation now ;-)
Please let me know what you think. Reviews and comments always welcome, and may spur me on to write more quickly even without an assignment to avoid!